Activities ready for Turn off TV Week

Have you ever wondered what life was like before TV? "TV Turnoff Week," April 23-29, offers the chance to try a wide range of free alternative activities, while also learning about the drawbacks of Americans' TV habit.Monday,April 23Community Activities Fair: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the library's Rodriguez Annex. A load of local clubs and organizations will display information about their activities at tables in the annex. The public can browse, ask questions and find out how to get involved. If your group wants a table, call Jane at the library, 475-3351.Tuesday,April 24 Storytelling Night: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Rodriguez Annex. Rollicking stories and skits with lots of audience participation.SPARK for young kids: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sports Play and Active Recreation for Kids at Early Childhood Education in Warm Springs. Sponsored by Tribal Community Wellness programs and the Diabetes Prevention Program.Wednesday, April 25Music Night: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Rodriguez Annex. Queen Lorene and the Skillet Lickers and other musicians will play. There will also be an open jam session, so bring an instrument and join in!Health & Wellness Symposium: 1 to 8:30 p.m., at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. A panel of presentations on health care issues, with Rep. John Dallum as a guest speaker.Thursday, April 26SPARK for kids: Sports Play and Active Recreation for Kids activities from 3:45 to 4:45 at the Warm Springs Community Center.Game Night: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Jefferson County Senior Center. Bring your favorite board games or cards. No electronic games, please!Friday, April 27Magic and Juggling Extravaganza: 7 p.m., at the Rodriguez Annex, featuring the Great Y Dewey.Saturday, April 28Week of the Young Child Celebration: 10 a.m., parade from the front of the library to Sahalee Park, with kids' activities at the park. Bring a brown bag lunch to eat at noon while listening to stories.Skateboarding/BMX Demo: 9 to 10 a.m., at the Madras skate park (weather permitting). Bring lawn chairs if you want. Sponsored by The Grind. Information from the TV Turnoff Network, during this nationwide event, notes that TV watching undermines family life. In the average U.S. home the TV is on seven hours and 40 minutes each day. The average American watches over four hours of TV per day. Fifty-four percent of 4- to 6-year-olds said they would rather watch TV than spend time with their fathers. TV hampers education, the figures indicate. One-year-old American children watch an average of six hours of TV per week, while kids ages 2 to 17 watch 19 hours, 40 minutes of TV. More than 10 hours of TV watching per week has been shown to negatively affect academic achievement. The average American youth spends 900 hours per year in school, but 1,023 hours per year watching television. Figures say TV promotes obesity. Five percent of American children were seriously overweight in 1964, but that number climbed to 15 percent by 2003. The amount of daily physical activity recommended for kids is 60 minutes, yet 14 percent of children reported they had no recent physical activity. Studies indicate TV promotes violence. Children see 200,000 violent acts on TV by the time they are age 18. Eighty percent of Hollywood executives said they believe there is a link between TV violence and real violence. For more statistical information, or information on TV Turnoff Week go to www.tvturnoff.org. TV Turnoff Week is endorsed by the Jefferson County Library District, Jefferson County Commission on Children and Families, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, the city of Madras, Mountain View Hospital District, and the 509-J School District Board of Directors.